Shoe Accessory to Reduce Friction for Athletic Training

ABSTRACT

This is a portable, temporary and completely reversible method of adapting a shoe generally used for sports training (with rubberized sole) into a modified shoe (with low coefficient of friction) capable of specialized activity needed for figure skating training (to find and keep axis orientation, primarily, but not limited to: jumps, spins and pivots) on a variety of floor surfaces including carpet, bare floors, floors with mild texture, rubber mats and rubberized floors. This method comprises: providing a piece of material to completely cover the underside front half sole of the shoe (from toe to the mid-arch area of the foot) with the properties for creating greatly reduced friction with the floor surface. The half sole piece is held in place by a configuration of elastic or non elastic material which connects to the device&#39;s sole at front and side edges, and slips over the upper portion of the shoe. An additional band of elastic or non-elastic material extends around the back of the shoe to secure the sole piece from back to front much like a sandal overshoe. When attached to the shoe securely, the shoe accessory half-sole piece reduces friction between the floor covering such as carpet or rubberized floors and the shoe for figure skating training exercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Once day my son's figure skating coach was giving him a technical lesson off the ice in a carpeted room, and my son was spinning in his socks on the carpet. Socks cause too much friction, slows the spin down, and does not give the skater's feet enough support for safety.

In the past, the coach had to bring in a huge sheet of plywood to place over the carpet for axis, jump and spin training because the current spinners don't work on carpet. Another problem was the safety of the athletes. Current spinners tend to slide out from under a skater when a spin gets off axis, sometimes causing terrible falls. Lastly, current spinners cause the athlete to adjust their body position to balance on the spinner in a way that creates a larger axis of rotation that is very different from on ice body position for rotation.

The coach asked if I could create a device that allows the skater to wear shoes, spin with speed on carpet with correct body position, and increase the safety of the skater when spins are out of control and the athlete needs to stop the spin.

Figure skaters need a way to train off the ice (dryland) in a way that closely simulates the activities they do on the ice as it is not always practical to be on the ice for training. Ice time costs money, is not always available, and endless hours on the ice is physically taxing on the body.

Figure skaters and coaches need a way to train and teach single rotation, multiple rotation and movement while on the athlete's axis of rotation—off the ice. Current equipment available for training rotational axis and spinning for skaters do not allow skaters to practice with correct body position.

In order for skaters to master moving, spinning, rotating and jumping on their body's axis, they need to repeat the movement until their body remembers the position. Current equipment (spinners) on the market train a position (bent forward at the hips) that is different from the jump position needed on the ice (straight up and down), thus is not ideal for repetition and mastery of correct position.

Many rinks and rooms available for training off the ice as well as skaters' homes have carpets or rubberized flooring which cause too much friction between floor and foot and doesn't allow for the speed needed in rotational axis and spin training. The current equipment being used for this training requires specific floor options and cannot be used on carpet or heavy rubber flooring found in ice arenas.

Last but not least, when skaters use the current equipment available for training rotational axis off the ice, they can take horrible falls when the spinner slips out from under them.

This present invention addresses all three issues, of correct positioning of the body for axis and spinning training, it can be used on carpet and a variety of floor covering, athlete safety is increase by allowing the skater to stop without falling or slipping off of the device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains generally to athletic training activity that requires reduced friction between the sole of an athletic shoe and the floor surface it contacts when the floor has a coefficient of friction that is greater than a smooth bare floor.

More specifically to athletic training for figure skaters, that require pivoting or spinning type movements such as single and multi-rotational jumps, spins and edgework, on carpet, rubberized floors or hard surfaces that do not allow the typical athletic shoe with rubber soles to pivot, spin (world record spinning on ice 256 mph, 412 km/hr) or slide freely due to frictional forces between the sole of the shoe and the floor covering that cause premature slowing and stopping of the spinning movement.

More specifically, the invention relates to a device that temporarily attaches over an athletic shoe quickly and easily, can be used on either the right or the left shoe interchangeably, covers the front half of the bottom of the shoe sole completely from toe to the mid-foot at the arch for decreased traction and to allow natural traction from the back half of the shoe, allowing the spinning or pivoting movement to be stopped by placing the heel on the floor during the exercise activity for safety of the skater.

This does not preclude the use of the invention on both shoes at one time, however the most typical use will be unilateral.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1, 2, 3 Shows the Shoe Accessory to Reduce Friction for Athletic Training positioned on a shoe:

This version of the system that attaches the friction reducing sole to a shoe (1) is composed of elastic or non-elastic laces (6), that lace over the top of the shoe (to hold the sole to the shoe bottom, and end up at the back of the shoe to hold the sole in place front to back. A toggle (8) allows the laces to be adjusted to hold any sized shoe. A double cord end clip keeps the two sides of the lace together to close the lacing system (13).

FIG. 1 Shows the side view—notice that the sole (2) has tabs that bend upward towards the shoe-upper on the sides (12) and at the toe (15) providing a place for the laces (6) to attach to the sole without causing friction on the bottom of the sole where it contacts the floor.

FIG. 2 Looking down from above at the top of the invention on a shoe To hold the laces (6) in place over the toe, a sliding buckle (9) of metal or plastic is used. This allows adjustment if needed for different shoes or sizes.

FIG. 3 Looking at the bottom of the invention while on a shoe The ½ sole piece (2) completely covers the front part of the shoe from toe to mid-foot at the arch. The back half of the training shoe is exposed (3) which allows the athlete to put the heel down to stop using the traction from the shoe.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6 Shows what the Shoe Accessory to Reduce Friction for Athletic Training looks like without the shoe.

FIG. 4 Side view

FIG. 5 Looking down from above on the top of the Shoe Accessory to Reduce Friction for Athletic Training.

FIG. 6 Looking at the bottom of the Shoe Accessory to Reduce Friction for Athletic Training.

FIG. 7 Shows the Shoe Accessory to Reduce Friction for Athletic Training with an optional notch (4) placed on the side tab (12) of the ½ sole piece, near the ball of the foot or the area of most flex when foot is flexed for spinning (as in wearing high heeled shoes, the point of foot contact with the floor). This allows the material in the tab (12) to flex more efficiently without bulging out from the foot, making it easier to flex the foot and keep a good fit of the invention to the shoe.

FIG. 8 Looking down on top of the reduced friction ½ sole piece. This is the ½ sole piece before it is attached to the upper system that holds it on to the shoe.

Measurements of current invention ½ sole piece when lying flat and unfolded:

6.25″ from toe tab to back (toe to arch)

5.5″ from side tab to side tab (one side of the foot to the other)

Measurements of current invention ½ sole piece when tabs are folded up in finished position:

5.5″ (toe to arch)

4.5″ (one side of the foot to the other)

Width and height measurements can be adjusted for different sized shoes, however multiple shoe sizes can use one size apparatus, therefore only a few sizes of the apparatus is needed.

The toe tab (15) and side tabs (12) will be folded upwards along the fold lines (14) in the direction of the shoe. The angle of the tabs in relation to sole piece base is between 90° and 180°. If sole piece material is flexible, the angle with vary depending on how tight or loose the laces are. If the sole piece is rigid, the fixed angle can be between and including 90° and 180°.

The lace holes (10) will be punched in the tabs, and the laces or elastic (6) that comprise the upper system that holds the ½ sole (2) to the shoe will lace through them.

FIG. 9 Shows the side view of the sole piece with tabs (12) folded upwards, but no laces attached.

FIG. 10 Shows optional notch (4) cut into the side tabs (12) of the ½ sole piece (2).

FIG. 11 Shows side view of sole piece (2) visible are the tabs (12, 15) folded upwards, and the notch (4) placement.

FIGS. 12, 13, 14 Shows the Shoe Accessory to Reduce Friction for Athletic Training positioned on a shoe:

This version of the system shows another way to attach the friction reducing sole (2) to a shoe (1) is comprised of elastic bands or stretchy material (i.e. lycra) (7), that go over the top of the shoe from one side to the other (to hold the sole to the shoe bottom). Elastic (7) is shown here in a crisscross shape, but can be straight across or in other configurations that hold the sole to the shoe.

In this version, the retaining band (16) is attached to the elastic (7) at the back sides holding the sole piece (2) to the shoe, and goes around the back of the shoe to keep the sole piece in place from front to back.

A toggle (8) allows the retaining band (16) to be adjusted to hold snug to any sized shoe.

FIG. 12 Shows the side view: notice that the sole has side tabs (12) and a toe tab (15) that bend upward towards the shoe-upper on the sides and at the toe providing a place for the elastic bands or stretchy material (7) to attach to the sole without causing friction on the bottom of the sole where it contacts the floor.

FIG. 13 Looking down from above at the top of the invention on a shoe To hold the sole piece (2) in place under the toe of the shoe, a piece of elastic or stretchy material (17) is attached to the toe tab (15) at one end and to the larger bands (7) of the upper at the other.

FIG. 14 The underside of the invention on the shoe The ½ sole piece (2) completely covers the front part of the shoe from toe to mid-foot at the arch. The back half of the training shoe is exposed (3) which allows the athlete to put the heel down to stop, thus using the traction from the shoe.

FIGS. 15, 16, 17 Shows what the Shoe Accessory to Reduce Friction for Athletic Training looks like without a shoe in this version of larger elastic or lycra bands to secure the ½ sole piece to the shoe.

FIG. 15 View from the top at a slight angle, shows attachment of retention strap (16) to elastic band (7). Dotted lines show what is underneath.

FIG. 16 View from the top showing attachment of toe retaining band (17) to elastic bands (7). Dotted lines show what is underneath.

FIG. 17 Looking at the bottom of the Shoe Accessory to Reduce Friction for Athletic Training.

FIG. 18 Looking down on top of the reduced friction ½ sole piece with elastic band upper straps.

This is the ½ sole piece before it is attached to the upper system that holds it on to the shoe.

The toe tab (15) and side tabs (12) will be folded upwards towards along the fold lines (14) in the direction of where the shoe sits. The angle of the tabs in relation to sole piece base is between 90° and 180°. If sole piece material is flexible, the angle will vary depending on how tight or loose the laces are. If the sole piece is rigid, the fixed angle can be between and including 90° and 180°.

The slots for elastic band or stretch material (11) will be cut in the tabs, and the elastic (7) that comprise the upper system that holds the ½ sole (2) to the shoe will be threaded through them.

FIG. 19 Shows the side view of the sole piece with side tabs (12) and toe tab (15) folded upwards. Slot placement is shown (11).

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to training activities of axis of rotation, spinning or pivoting on surfaces including but not limited to carpet, rubberized floors, or other floors with friction that slows spinning down, consists of:

a) Low coefficient friction sole to go under the shoe that covers the bottom of a training shoe completely from toe to mid-foot arch area. That will allow spinning on surfaces including but not limited to carpet, rubberized floors as found in ice rinks, bare floors and other floor coverings that cause friction between shoe and floor.

b) A way of holding the sole of the device securely, but temporarily to the bottom of the shoe, that is attached in a way that does not to cause friction on the floor.

c) Further, a way of holding the sole of the device on the shoe in a way that keeps it in place from front to back.

d) The device must be easily put on and taken off over a shoe.

e) The device must be useful on multiple sizes of shoes within the bounds of safety, so that growing athletes can use the invention for a period of time and not have to get larger sizes each time they grow and change shoe sizes.

Materials Sole (2)

Plastic or substance that has properties fitting bullet points below.

Current embodiments the present invention include but are not limited to plastic with properties in a range from rigid to flexible can be used for the sole such as ABS or High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Expanded PVC, Polypropylene, or other type of material, not excluding durable fabric with very low coefficient of friction.

Impact Resistant.

Stress and Crack resistant.

Range of flexible to rigid material for the sole.

Must have a low coefficient of friction on at least one side (for contact with the floor/floor covering).

It is desirable but not mandatory for the other side (for contact with the shoe) to have a high coefficient of friction, which will be placed against the shoe to keep the invention in place.

Plastic must be able to withstand high temperature generated from friction of weighted, repeated spinning against the floor.

Must be durable enough to withstand abrasion from spinning on textured floors, multiple uses by skaters of all ages multiple drops and falls.

If available, optional high coefficient of friction can be used for the inside against the shoe, if not available in an off the shelf plastic, additional traction (of any type such as plastic, rubber, synthetic, etc.) can be acquired or manufactured and attached to this surface.

Ideal thickness of the sole material can be anything between and including but not limited to: 1/64″ (0.396 mm) to ¼″ (6.35 mm)thick

Fabrication can a variety of means including but not limited to: Cut from flat sheet plastic, injection molding, 3D printing, roll forming, heat molding, die cut or other available processes or a combination of any processes. Hand cut or a machine cut, water-jet or other means to create hole for lacing or slots (10) for elastic bands (11).

Sole can be uniform thickness throughout, or thicker at the midline of the foot toward the arch; tapering to the toe and outside edges simulating a rocker of a skate.

If simulating a rocker, the band of increased thickness will be approximately ⅔ width of the sole, approximately ¼ inch thickness at the thickest point.

Appearance: Variety of solid colors, patterns or prints to appeal to a youth skaters.

Printing by decal, during the manufacturing process, painted, or other methods to decorate the top of the spinner (foot side).

When using flexible sole material, an optional notch can be cut on the side tabs (12) of the sole corresponding to the area of the ball of the foot to allow for more bending at the ball of the foot (4).

Current embodiment of present invention has sole material shaped to form tabs on the sides and in the very front (toe area). These tabs are bent upwards (FIGS. 8, 10, 18) form an angle that is equal to or between 90° and 180° to the bottom (sole) piece (2). This is to allow the upper system (6, 7) to attach to the sole without causing additional friction on the bottom of the sole. In other words, the folded side and front tabs form a cradle in which the shoe is placed (FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19).

Ideal angle of tabs is dependent on the stiffness properties of the material used for the sole (2). If sole piece material is flexible, the angle will vary depending on how tight or loose the laces are. If the sole piece is rigid, the fixed angle can be between and including 90° and 180°.

Upper

Can be any configuration of materials that allows the ½ sole of the invention to rest tightly against the bottom of a shoe and keep it in place without causing additional friction.

Current embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to elastic band, cord, lycra, or non-stretchy material such as webbing, shoelace material or cord.

Elastic band—all widths depending on style, from corded elastic (FIG. 4) to ≤3″ wide elastic (FIG. 15). Any color, or prints can be used. Current embodiment of present invention uses ⅛″ corded elastic, or ⅛″ corded laces (FIG. 1), or 2″ and ½″ wide elastic (FIG. 12)

Laces can be elastic or non-elastic, flat or rounded, any color or combination of color.

Appearance: Solid color or printed elastic or lycra material.

Lycra material could be fashioned in configuration of the laces or elastic bands, or in a solid “sock” around the shoe to hold the sole piece in place.

Optional toggle attachment: to adjust the back strap to fit all shoe sizes. Solid colors, or prints (8).

Optional lace stop attachment: to keep the laces from coming out of the toggle (13).

To hold the front part of the plastic sole against shoe, various buckles or fasteners can be used to create lacing patterns that keep the spinner attached to the athlete's shoe). In this case a tri-glide slider buckle (9) made of metal or plastic is used, but any type of device can be adapted to this purpose.

Objects of the Invention

1) Optimal Body Position for Technical Training

2) Athlete Safety

3) Allows Off-Ice (Dryland) Training On Multiple Floor Coverings

4) Economy and Convenience

1) Optimal Body Position for Technical Training

This invention is for figure-skating athletes to use for “off-ice” (dryland) training. It allows the skater to find the proper position for on-axis rotation and movement practice (which is like a top when spinning straight and true.) Skaters need to feel and practice spinning and rotating on-axis because this is the essential foundation for multi-rotational jumps, spins and any movement on the ice.

This invention allows the skater to use normal flexibility in the foot to position the axis of the spin on the ball of the foot which better simulates the on-ice motion of a foot in a figure skate with blade as opposed to current products which require the skater to spin flat footed to keep balance on the apparatus.

When spinning on the ball of the foot, the entire kinetic muscle chain on that side of the body from the foot to ankle, to knee, to hip is engaged which also allows the torso, shoulder girdle and head to be aligned and stacked on top of the foot for correct axis alignment throughout that whole side of the body. This is the body position that is most beneficial to train off the ice because it is most consistent with proper body position on the ice and leads to optimal balance, multiple rotation jumps and spin execution.

Proper axis alignment of the body using this invention is better than current devices that require the athlete to balance flat footed on the device, which allows and encourages the skater to bend their upper body forward at the hip crease—sticking their hips behind them (sticking their rear end out) to balance. When a skater pitches their hip alignment slightly back it causes the gluteus muscle not to be engaged which then creates a rotational axis with a larger circumference which results in slower rotation. Also being able to spin on the sweet spot for rotation engages the calf muscle more which better simulates, the actual rotational position required to develop the correct alignment.

The scope and variety of exercises off the ice is infinite with this invention because they can be carried out naturally as if wearing skates since the invention is attached to the foot. These include but are not limited to exercises like slow motion approach to jump exercises and more.

2) Athlete Safety

The design of this portable device increases safety for the skater during off-ice (dryland) training of axis, rotation and spinning activities. When wearing the invention, the underside front half of the shoe sole will be covered from the toe to the mid-foot arch with low coefficient of friction material which allows the skater to spin more freely with less friction than the sole of a traditional athletic shoe on a carpeted or rubberized floor.

This lowered friction (traction) between the shoe and the floor will decrease the stress, torque and muscular effort used for stabilization thus saving ankle, knee and hip joints from torque or injury due to spinning, pivoting or sliding motions used on a floor covering with traction.

If during the spinning exercise, the skater loses control of their rotation, they reflexively lower the heel of their foot to the floor and stop the rotation, regaining control of their body before falling, thus preventing large out of control falls because the heel of the shoe has traction grip.

Current spinner products on the market are not attached to the foot so that when the skater's spin goes out of control, the device can fly out from under the users' foot with the potential for dangerous falls as well as the device striking a person or thing.

Spinning in socks, is an option on carpet, however this leaves the foot unsupported and can cause injury to the feet, both through friction burns and bone injury. Wearing shoes for support during spin training for rotation is highly desirable, if not mandatory to prevent injuries.

3) Allows Off-Ice (Dryland) Training On Multiple Floor Coverings

It is essential for this technical sport of Figure Skating for athletes to have a reliable means of warming up before getting on the ice, and a way to train rotating (spinning) on axis. This invention will allow athletes to find their axis and practice spinning on axis to prepare for on ice activities. Dryland training of the axis will allow for maximum repetition and improvements as most athletes don't have unlimited access to the ice.

Facilities where figure skaters train as well as places where dryland training takes place, such as athlete's homes do not always have a smooth frictionless surface on which to train. Many facilities have carpet or rubberized floors. This invention allows skaters to train on surfaces including but not limited to carpet or rubberized floors most commonly found in places they train.

Figure skaters warm up and train a variety of exercises in athletic shoes with traction for safety. These shoes do not allow a skater to spin or pivot at the speed they require on carpet, rubberized, textured or floors with a greater coefficient of friction than a smooth bare floor, or the shoes leave marks on the floor or tears in the carpet. This invention allows skaters to temporarily place a low friction surface under their training shoes for practice in these situations.

Current spinners available can be used on very limited types of flooring. They cannot be used on carpet or slick floors. On carpet there is too much friction which causes it to slow down too much, and on slick floors (i.e. shiny concrete, or finished floors) that have a very small friction coefficient, the spinner spins too fast and is difficult to control creating the potential for rocketing out from under the skater's foot and resulting in terrible falls.

4) Economy and Convenience

It is not realistic or economical for skaters to purchase one specialized reduced traction shoe (if they exist) for axis, spin and rotation training activities which they will use for short but essential periods of time during off ice training. Purchasing and carrying a second pair of shoes just for axis and spin training is cumbersome and expensive.

With this invention, skaters can change their shoes, or shoe sizes and keep the same friction reduction shoe accessory through multiple shoe sizes, eliminating the cost of purchasing new specialized shoes each time their foot grows.

Economy of time: during training sessions, this portable invention can be slipped on or off over the training shoe, and switched from one foot to the other in less than a minute. Short transition time is important for maximizing individual and group training time. Contrast this with taking off and putting on multiple shoes.

Storage: This portable invention takes up very little room and is very light, and can be carried around in a skate bag conveniently.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use are apparent and obvious.

Therefore the foregoing is intended to be illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since limitless modifications and changes will readily occur to others, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described before. Accordingly, all suitable modifications, changes or equivalents that may be resorted to fall within the scope of the invention.

This invention has been described in detail with respect to two embodiments, however it should be realized that many various changes may be made without departing from the essential contributions of this invention.

Preferred Practice the Invention

The most appropriate use of the invention is for dryland (off the ice) figure skating training or any physical activity that requires speedy rotation on an axis such as dance, gymnastics, trampoline on but not limited to carpet or rubber flooring. Best use is not on asphalt or textured concrete such as sidewalks.

1) Figure skating training on dryland allows the figure skater to practice the proper body position for multi rotational on-axis movement off the ice to find and practice snapping in to the axis position and maintaining the axis position for multiple rotations used in double, triple, and quadruple jumps.

2) The scope and variety of exercises off the ice is infinite because they can be carried out as naturally as if wearing skates since the invention is attached to the foot. Exercises such as true jump and spin entrances and exits can be walked through or broken down for repetition practice.

3) Using this invention for training increases the opportunity for figure skaters to be in correct on-axis body position for jumps and spins without the need for special floor, or facilities. So they can train at home, in the rink, the gym or conference room facilities.

Differences Between Shoe Accessory to Reduce Friction for Athletic Training and Current Equipment

This invention is for but not limited to figure-skating athletes to use for “off-ice” (dryland) training. It allows the skater to find the proper position for on-axis rotation and movement practice (which is like a top when spinning straight and true.)

1) This invention is attached to the skaters' shoe and allows the skater to go all the way on to the front of the foot to spin, without pitching their hip alignment slightly back and causing a larger rotational axis which is not proper for on ice axis for spinning, rotation.

Current devices are not attached to the skaters' foot:

-   -   a) On the floor (skater steps onto it) and needs to move so as         to keep it underneath the foot. This spinner can slide out from         under the skater and fly across the room, with skater falling         during out of control rotations.     -   b) On the floor, rotates in one place so that the skater must         hop off or put other foot down if their body moves off the         spinner pot.     -   c) Build into a floor in a room and the skater stands in the         middle of a rotating disc.

2) This invention can be used on a variety of surfaces including but not limited to carpet or rubberized floors, even bare floors.

Current spinners require either flat un-carpeted floors but not slick bare floors.

3) This invention is attached to the foot of an athlete, over the shoe, and only covers the front bottom sole of the shoe from toe to mid-foot arch (2) so that rotation can be stopped simply by the reflex of putting the exposed heel of the shoe (3) or the other foot down on the floor which happens naturally if the spin is out of control.

Current spinners require the skater to put the other foot down on the floor, hop or fall off to stop rotation.

4) This invention gives complete coverage of the underside of one shoe from toe to the mid-foot arch which is essential for the high speed rotations figure skaters need to train on the floor.

Traction bands created for dance or exercise classes on carpet or dance foot guards for ballet do not provide enough sole surface coverage nor do they provide low enough coefficient of friction for the movements associated with figure skating training.

5) This invention is portable and lightweight, takes up very little space in the skate bag.

This allows skaters to train every day during warm up or dryland (off ice) sessions, which increases the amount of practice time.

For group classes or workshops, the instructor can store or carry many of these devices easily and space needed between skaters in an instruction situation is reduced.

Invention's Limitations

Cannot be used on abrasive floor coverings such as asphalt, textured concrete

REFERENCES Patent Citation Filling Date Publication Date Applicant Title

US 20110225844 A1 Dec. 31, 2010 Sep. 22, 2011 Katherine Hughes Traction adjustment Band for Shoe

US 20130291401A1 Jul. 1, 2013 Nov. 7, 2013 Katerine Hughes Traction Adjustment Band with retaining strap

US 20140290099 A1 Mar. 23, 2012 Oct. 2, 2014 Robert Corbett Sliding-shoe sole

US 20140041254 A1 Jan1 30, 2013 Feb. 13, 2014 Arik Jeffrey Bannister Shoe accessory for friction reduction on carpet

U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,396 B2 Sep. 16, 2005 Mar. 9, 2010 Dan Terlizzi, Paul Terlizzi, Laura M. Jacobs Protective foot coverings and dance shoes incorporating same 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe accessory for reducing friction between the shoe and the floor covering such as carpet, rubberized, bare or mildly textured floors used for training activities of athletes that require the ability to spin quickly, rotate, pivot or slide consisting of: (a) a sole piece in the general shape of the bottom of a shoe that completely covers approximately ½ of the bottom of the shoe sole from the tip of the toes to mid-foot arch made of a material with low coefficient of friction and (b) the back part of the shoe, from mid-foot arch to heel, is undisturbed, leaving the bottom of the shoe exposed, and (c) a system that holds the sole piece tight against the sole of the shoe to allow freedom of movement of the foot during spinning and rotational activities and (d) can be slipped on and off of the athletic shoe without permanently altering the shoe.
 2. A shoe accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sole piece is made of a material with (a) low coefficient friction, enough to enable athletic activity of rotation around axis, spinning and pivoting on carpet, rubberized, mildly textured and bare floors, (b) sole material such as but not limited to High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) or other slippery, smooth, surfaced materials (c) flexible enough to stay attached to the foot when ankle is in plantar flexion (and foot looks like Barbie in high heels), or if (c) semi-rigid to rigid is held onto the shoe during plantar flexion while allowing foot to rise into position.
 3. Shoe accessory as claimed in claim 1 with current version of the invention having measurements of (a) the ½ sole piece when lying flat and unfolded, 6.25″ from toe tab to back (toe to mid-foot arch) by 5.5″ from side tab to side tab (one side of the foot to the other) which then become; (b) ½ sole piece when tabs are folded up in finished position: 5.5″ (toe to mid-foot arch) by 4.5″ (one side of the foot to the other) and (c) please know that the the measurements above are used in the current version of the invention but the scope of this invention is not limited to these measurements as variations of sole materials and shoe size will change the numbers.
 4. A shoe accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system that holds the sole piece against the sole of the training shoe during spinning, gliding, pivoting and rotational exercises such as, but not limited to a (a) system of laces (elastic or woven) that crisscross back and forth over the top (similar to lacing a shoe) of the shoe including holding the toe piece up towards the shoe and attach to either side of the sole piece without touching the part of the sole piece that contacts the floor (and causing friction), or (b) flat elastic (½″ to 3″wide) in a configuration that attaches from one side of the sole to the other, and from the toe to the elastic that attaches one side to the other and (c) a retention strap that attaches to the elastic system on the front of the foot to behind the back of the shoe (heel) with the option of being adjusted so as to keep the sole piece on and stable from front to back.
 5. The shoe accessory as claimed in claim 1 which comprises being slipped on over the shoe from front to back with the elastic or laces or stretchy material on the dorsal part of the foot and the sole on the plantar surface of the foot and (a) there are many ways to secure the sole to the shoe, drawings and description of current invention are meant to illustrate and do not eliminate other possible methods to temporarily secure the sole to the shoe as (b) any system that holds the sole on to the shoe that does not interfere with the low coefficient of friction of the material can be utilized and is within the scope of this invention.
 6. The shoe accessory as claimed in claim 1 can be used for any athletic training that (a) requires spinning, rotation, or gliding when (b) on carpet, rubberized, textured or bare floors but was created (c) specifically for but not limited to figure-skating athletes to use for “off-ice” (dryland) training and (d) allows the skater to find the proper body position for on-axis rotation and movement practice (which is like a top when spinning straight and true.)
 7. The shoe accessory as claimed in claim 1 is temporarily, but securely attached to the shoe which (a) keeps proper body position for axis training, multiple rotation (jump) training by allowing the skater to go all the way to tip toes to spin, without pitching their hip alignment slightly back (sticking buttocks out) and causing a larger rotational axis which is not proper for on ice axis for spinning, rotation also (b) eliminates the danger of an unattached spinner slipping or shooting out from under foot when a skater loses control of the axis of their spin.
 8. The shoe accessory as claimed in claim 1 adds safety benefits as it is attached to the foot of an athlete, over the shoe, and only covers the front bottom sole of the shoe from toe to mid-foot arch (a) so that rotation can be stopped simply by the reflex of putting the exposed heel of the shoe down (b) or by placing the other foot down on the floor which happens naturally if the spin is out of control.
 9. The shoe accessory as claimed in claim 1 is (a) portable and lightweight, takes up very little space in the skate bag, (b) allows skaters to train every day during warm up or dryland (off ice) sessions on a variety of floor surfaces which (c) increases the amount of practice time and (d) for group classes or workshops, the instructor can store or carry many of these devices easily and space needed between skaters in an instruction situation is reduced.
 10. The shoe accessory as claimed in claim 1 gives complete coverage of the underside of one shoe from toe to mid-foot arch which is essential for the high speed rotations figure skaters need to train on the floor, (a) traction bands created for dance or exercise classes on carpet or dance foot guards for ballet do not provide enough sole surface coverage nor do they provide low enough coefficient of friction for the movements associated with figure skating training. 